Earth Shepherds

Ministry Contact:

• David Oen - (513) 205-8603

Meeting times: 2nd Monday, 7 p.m.

  "Let us be 'protectors' of creation protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment."  ~ Pope Francis

The  Earth  Shepherds  advocate and celebrate sustainability - striving to maintain a balance in which humans and nature can coexist in productive harmony to support present and future generations of all life.

We  strive  to  inspire  our  fellow  parishioners and neighbors to be faithful Earth stewards by living sustainable lifestyles that joyfully maintain a healthy life-supporting Earth and conserving/protecting/reusing renewable/non-renewable resources that we borrow from future generations.
 
We acknowledge the real impact of human-induced climate change on our survival as humankind.
 
In the spirit of justice, love, and Catholic Social Teaching, we support activities that address environmental challenges which endanger all persons  and  all  creation,  most  especially,  our  children  and  the  vulnerable poor, both local and worldwide.

"We are all part of the integrated web of life on Mother Earth and are called as stewards of the planet that sustains all life.  By taking care of the earth, we take care of ourselves.  When we can find our connection to the Earth in the quiet stillness of our hearts, we can cultivate that connection in our homes, neighborhoods and beyond.  Together we can pass on a thriving Earth to our children, from whom we borrowed it in the first place." 
Celebrate Creation!  - Earth Shepherds

• We can show our love and respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our Catholic faith.

• We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

• We have a responsibility to leave our earthly home a better place than when we began our life on it.

• We acknowledge that social justice and care for creation are deeply connected. The impact of climate change falls heaviest on the world's poor. As Catholics, our faith demands prudent action.

• Christian  fellowship  with  life-long learners who strive to educate ourselves and others in ways to live sustainable, earth-friendly lifestyles.

• Collaboration with team members to make  our  parish,  our  community, and our planet better places and to preserve God’s Creation for our children’s children.

Responding to Pope Francis' call to protect the environment and populations that are vulnerable to global climate change, the Earth Shepherds are:

• Adopting the St. Francis Pledge.

• Dedicated a tree (on Good Shepherd’s grounds) in honor of Pope Francis’s Encyclical – Laudato Si.

• Assisted in documentation of Good Shepherd Facilities and Parishioner surveys to help Good Shepherd Parish achieve Laudato Si recognition from Cincinnati Archdiocese.

• Continually collaborate to provide speaker presentations covering, Care for Creation, sustainability, recycling, gardening, composting, reducing waste, & etc.

• Bring awareness to reducing carbon footprint through annual Seeds of Lent Carbon Reduction Calendar project.

Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Fulbright scholar, and Good Shepherd Parishioner, Mike has spoken about Kiribati and climate change for the past 19 years. Collaborating with governments, international media, non-profits & citizens from around the world, he works to raise a global consciousness of our planet’s climate crisis from the frontlines.

Learn more about Kiribati by visiting the following:

• Facebook: Humans of Kiribati

• Instagram: Humans of Kiribati

• Kiribati Keepers